NHM Readers: Places in the area to see bluebells

In April 2018 I asked the Friends of my “Louise nhm Smith” profile on Facebook “It’s “bluebell season” now and I’m putting together a post for places in the area to see bluebells. What are your recommendations? (You can find directions to Micheldever bluebell woods on NorthHantsMum).”

Thank you for your responses, which are listed below in no particular order:

NHM Readers recommend places in the area to see bluebells

Catherine said “Beech Village Bluebell Wood

Helen said “The woods next to The Vyne have lots of beautiful bluebells”

Claire said “The Vyne

Lisa said “Some out in Bulls Bushes, Oakley. Was there yesterday”

Emma said “The Bramley Frith is stunning.”

Sarah said “Bramley woods”

Stephanie said “Micheldever forest is stunning for them”

Lisa said “Michaeldever Woods”

Hayley said “Micheldever”

Alistair said “Micheldever Woods!!

Shirley said “Manydown woods

Liane said “Bowdown woods near Greenham Common is spectacular!”

Alison said “If you don’t mind going further afield then Cliveden (National Trust) has a bluebell trail. We went weekend before last.”

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Review 2016: Chineham Splash Park

Thank you very much to one of the NHM Writers, Karen, for this fab review!

Thank you also to Michelle for the pictures!

About

Chineham Splash Park is a new, free water activity open between 10:00 and 19:00 until september. It is situated in Chineham park and also boasts a large field with a half pipe and outdoor trail gym.

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When we attended we arrived before 10:00 and the park was already filling up with excited children and parents with picnic blankets.

Once 10:00 finally came around someone pressed the activation button and it was only moments before all the shrieking children were soaking wet and running around in the water jets.

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Facilities and Food

There has also been a portacabin toilet that was added to the splash park in the past week. However, the park unfortunately lacks any other facilities but the Popley Spotlight centre are happy for people to pop in and use the toilets and they also sell refreshments.  Bare in mind that is a 5 minute walk away so if there’s only one adult in your group you’ll probably end up packing away your things.

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You might want flipflops or sandals for wet children to wear as well as extra towels or clothes to put on over wet swimming costumes for the trips to the toilets. Don’t forget your swimming costumes, towels and swim nappies as well as sun protection.

The area has several picnic benches but they are unshaded in the morning so bring a picnic rug or blanket and head under the trees.

Parking

There are around 20 parking spaces at the park and others in residential streets a bit further away

Tips

Our top tips are to consider bringing the buggy (or a shopping trolley) to load everything in for trips to the toilet, don’t forget your own potty to avoid a few and arrive early before it fills up.

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Older excited children might be a bit daunting for the little ones so bring a towel for yourself so you can encourage them in (and cool off) and a carrier if you have a baby.

If the water isn’t working, don’t leave, the council advise that if its been on constantly for a long time sometimes the reservoir will need 30 minutes to refill.

Rating

We enjoyed the splash park so it scores a 5/5 from the Johnson family.

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20 Spring “Bored Jar” Ideas – for a toddler

(If you want to find out more about what a “Bored jar” is, then please read the post at the bottom of this post, called “Winter Bored Jar Ideas”)

1. Feed the birds in the aviary in the War Memorial Park

2. Go on a Bluebell walk. Micheldever Forest is supposed to be lovely for bluebells, but I’ve not been there yet.

3. Take a ride on a train – Viables or Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

4. Be King or queen of the castle. My favourite and the one closest too us is Odiham Castle

5. Discover something new: Museums

6. Paint some pots at Pots2Paint

7. Make some jewelery

8. Draw an animal

9. Make homemade bubbles

10. Do some painting

11. Make and decorate paper airplanes

12. Join a baby ballet class (this doesn’t have to be just girls!)

13. Go Swimming (Check out this post HERE for local swimming pools)

14. Create a dressing up box and pretend to be Princes or Princesses

15. Make some DIY coloured sand

16. Find shapes in clouds

17. Go to the Playgym at the Active Life Centre

18. Play with water and food colouring

19. Make a village out of all your toys

20. Make an Easter Egg hunt!!!!

Related Posts

Winter bored Jar Ideas – 40 ideas

Summer “bored sticks” jar 

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13 things to do in Basingstoke in Spring with a three year old

1. Visit PlayDays, JJ’s, Fun House or Gym Tots at the Sports Centre

2. Go to the Aquadrome.

3. Check out nature detectives to see which packs you can use to go on a treasure hunt. Click HERE for a list of nature walks you can do.

4. Play Pooh Sticks on the bridge at Eastrop Park

5. Go Ice Skating at Planet Ice

6. Check out the aquarium’s in the fish shop at Sherfield on Loddon Garden Centre

7. Attend a Toddler Class. Have a look at the Activities Drop down on the tool bar above, to see the Classes available each day.

8. Visit the Old Fashioned Sweet Shop in Milestones

9. Go Bowling at the Leisure Park and play in the new Soft Play area after. (Keep your receipt for softplay as it gets you half price entry the next time you go.)

10. Visit a Pick Your Own Farm

11. Fly a kite on Crabtree Hill

12. Take a ride on the Viables mini steam train when it’s running

13. Go to Basing Lime Pits and play on the Train climbing frame and slide down the extra long slides

What would you recommend in the area for something to do with a three year old?

Related Posts

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15 Different Experiences for Children

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11 Things to do when you are pregnant

11 Places to Breakfast “out” with Children in North Hampshire